Coin apparatus



July 11, 1961 J. T. SCHULLER COIN APPARATUS 7 Sheets- Sheet 1 FiledMarch 13, 1959 JM T 5% M ya.

July 11, 1961 J. T. SCHULLER 2,991,857

com APPARATUS Filed March 13, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 5Q FIG.2

nn-null July 11, 1961 J. T. SCHULLER COIN APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed March 13, 1959 July 11, 1961 J. T. SCHULLER 2,991,867

COIN APPARATUS Filed March 13, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 11, 1961 J. T.SCHULLER I 2,991,867

COIN APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 13, 1959 July 11, 1961 FiledMarch 15, 1959 FIG. I0

J. T. SCHULLER COIN APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Wow/r11 J. T. SCHULLERCOIN APPARATUS July 11, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 15, 1959 FIG.

Patented July 11, 1961 2,991,867 COIN APPARATUS James T. Schulller, St.Anns, Mo., assignor to National Vendors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., acorporation of Missouri Filed Mar. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 799,294 20 Claims.(Cl. 19418) This invention relates to coin apparatus, and moreparticularly to such apparatus for controlling the operation of aVending machine or the like.

The invention is an improvement upon the coin apparatus shown in thecopending coassigned application of Alvin W. Holstein and James T.Schuller, Serial No. 629,749, filed December 20, 1956. That coinapparatus comprises a coin-actuated totalizer unit adapted to totalizethe amount of coins deposited in the vending machine, this unitincluding a plurality of indexing stops for holding certain feelers outof operation unless an appropriate amount in coin has been deposited.The stops are rotatable away from a retracted or zero position inresponse to the deposit of coins, the advance of the stops beingproportional to the amount deposited, and are biased to return to thezero position. A reset lever is provided for releasing the stops forreturn to zero position thereby to reset the apparatus for the nextdispensing operation. If, however, the stops should fail to return or bedelayed in returning to zero position for some reason (as, for example,because of dirt in the mechanism), the stops will remain in positionpermitting operation of one or more of the feelers, which may allowoperation of the machine without further insertion of coins. Among theseveral objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a coinapparatus of the class described with means for preventing operation ofthe machine without further insertion of coins if the stops should forany reason fail to reset to zero position or be delayed in resetting tozero position at the conclusion of a dispensing operation; the provisionof such means which acts positively to lock the feelers out of operationuntil the stops have reset to zero; and the provision of such meanswhich is economical to provide and reliable in operation. Other objectsand features will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafterdescribed, the scope of the invention being indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a coin apparatus in which this inventionis embodied;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the coin apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 with a front cover removed, andcertain parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross section taken on line 44 of FIG.1, showing the totalizer unit of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a generally horizontal cross section taken on line 5-5 of FIG.3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are vertical sections showing a nickel chute, a dimechute and a quarter chute, respectively, of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section of the totalizer unit taken on line 1010of FIG. 4, also showing some parts in front of the plane of the section;

FIG. 11 is a vertical section of the totalizer unit taken on line 1111of FIG. 4, also showing some parts in front of the plane of the section;

FIG. 12 is a vertical section taken on line 1212 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation of a pawl-carrying disk element of thetotalizer unit of the apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation of a ratchet member of the totalizing unit;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view illustrating the parts of the totalizingunit, being in section and viewed as on line 15-15 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 16 is a view in elevation showing a stop means of the totalizerunit.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. l-6 of the drawings, a coin handling unit of thisinvention is shown to comprise a main mechanism plate 1 having left andright side flanges 3 and 5 and a front cover plate 7 having left andright side flanges 8 and 9 which fit on the outside of flanges 3 and 5.Mounted on plate 1 are three latch release levers R1, R2 and R3 (seeFIGS. 2, 5 and 6). These normally occupy a retracted position, and aremovable away from their retracted position for releasing three latches(not shown) of the vending machine in which the coin handling unit isused. The vending machine may be of the type shown in the copendingcoassigned Holstein et al. applications Serial No. 589,918, filed June7, 1956, and the abovementioned application Serial No. 629,749, filedDecember 20, 1956, and the latches therein may be similar to the latchesL1, L2 and L3 which are shown in these applications. The latch releaselevers are controlled by three feeler levers F1, F2 and F3 pivoted at 11on the inside of plate 1. These feeler levers are controlled byrotatable indexing stop means designated in its entirety by thereference character 13 and including three individual indexing stops S1,S2 and S3. Stop S1 controls feeler F1,

stop S2 controls feeler F2 and stop S3 controls feeler F3.

Stop means 13 is part of a coin totalizer unit 15 mounted on the insideof plate 1 for totalizing the value of coins deposited in the vendingmachine. The coin totalizer unit 15 includes an arm constituted by atrip wire 17 pivoted to swing on the axis of a shaft 19 and having afinger 21 at its free end which extends across three coin chutes NC, DCand QC (see FIGS. 5 and 79) of a coin chute assembly 23 mounted on theinside of plate 1. Chute NC is for nickels, chute DC is for dimes andchute QC is for quarters.

The arrangement is such that a coin dropping in any one of the coinchutes swings the trip wire 17 down from its raised retracted positionof FIG. 3 through an angle corresponding to the value of the coin. Thecoin then escapes from the trip wire, the wire swings back up to itsraised retracted position, and on its upward swing it acts to index thestop means 13 forward (rotate it counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3) anumber of steps corresponding to the value of the coin. A nickel indexesthe stop means 13 forward one step, a dime indexes the stop meansforward two steps, and a quarter indexes the stop means forward fivesteps, as will be made clear. The stop means 13 normally occupies aso-called zero position in which it blocks all three feelers F1, F2 andF3 from movement sufiicient fully to actuate the latch release leversR1, R2 and R3. If a suflicient amount in coin is deposited, the stopmeans is indexed or advanced (rotated counterclockwise) a sufficientnumber of steps to bring it into position clearing one or more of thefeelers for full movement to enable actuation of the latch releaselevers. The stop means 13 is biased to return to the zero position, andthe unit 15 includes a rset lever 25 for releasing the stop means toreturn to zero position. If, however, for some reason the stop meansshould not respond to operation of the reset lever and should remain inits advanced position, it would be possible for someone repeatedly tooperate the vending machine and obtain part or all the merchandisetherein without depositing any coins.

In order to prevent this, in accordance with this invention the unit 15includes a lockout lever 27 (see FIG. 10) and mechanism controlling thislever to cause it to swing into position blocking the feelers F1, F2 andF3 against full movement any time the stop means 13 should fail toreturn to zero position upon operation of the reset lever 25. With thefeelers blocked, the latch release levers R1, R2, R3 cannot be operated,thus locking the vending machine out of operation until the stop meansis reset to zero.

The three latch release levers R1, R2 and R3 are identical. Eachconsists of a rod bent to provide an axial portion 29, a radial arm 31at one end of portion 29, a radial arm 33 at the other end of portion29, and a finger 35 parallel to portion 29 at the end of arm 33. Theaxial portions 29 of the three levers are rotatably held in horizontalposition on the inside of main plate 1 under a retaining plate 37 witharms 31 accommodated in a space between the coin chute assembly 23 andthe right side flange of plate 1. Arm 33 of the upper lever R3 extendsthrough an upper vertical slot 39 in plate 1 to the outside of plate 1.Arm 33 of each of levers R2 and R1 extends through a lower vertical slot41 in plate 1 to the outside of plate 1. Fingers 35 of the levers R1, R2and R3 extend horizontally on the outside of plate 1 and are engageablewith the outside of plate 1 to determine the retracted position of eachof the three levers R1, R2, R3.

Feelers F1, F2 and F3 (which are identical) are pivoted intermediatetheir ends on the common pivot at 11, F3 being the outside lever of thethree. Portions of these feelers to the right of pivot 11 extend infront of the coin chute assembly 23 and are connected to arms 31 oflevers R1, R2 and R3, respectively, by links 43, 45 and 47. Portions ofthese feelers to the left of pivot 11 are angled downward to extendunder the unit 15 and have feeler fingers 51, 53 and 55 extending upwardin position for engagement with stops S1, S2 and S3, respectively, uponclockwise swinging of the levers from the retracted position in whichthey apepar in FIG. 3. The retracted position of feelers F1, F2 and F3is determined by engagement of fingers 35 of the latch release leversR1, R2 and R3 with the outside of plate 1. When the levers F1, F2 and F3are in retracted position, fingers 51, 53 and 55 are clear of the stopsto permit the latter to rotate freely (note the space between the upperends of the fingers and stops in FIG. 3). Feelers F1, F2 and F3 andlevers R1, R2 and R3) are biased to their retracted position by a bellcrank lever 57 pivoted at 59 on the coin chute assembly 23. Lever 57 isbiased by a spring 61 to swing counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3 andhas a pin 63 at its right end engageable with the bottom edges offeelers F1, F2 and F3 to swing the latter counterclockwise. At its leftend, lever 57 carries a roller 65 which extends through a slot 66 (seeFIG. 1) in cover plate 7. Lever 57, at its right end, is connected tofeelers F1, F2 and F3 by three tension springs 67, 69 and 71,respectively (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The arrangement is such that whenlever 57 swings clockwise from its FIG. 3 retracted position (in whichit holds the feelers F1, F2 and F3 in their FIG. 3 retracted position)it may act through the tension springs 67, 69 and 71 to swing thefeelers clockwise from their retracted position if the feelers are freeto swing. If the feelers are not free to swing, pin 63 moves down awayfrom them, and springs 67, 69 and 71 simply stretch.

The main plate 1 and cover plate 7 have registering openings 73 and 75(see FIGS. 3 and 1) which, when the coin handling unit is mounted in avending machine, accept a shaft 77 which constitutes part of the vendingmachine. This shaft 77 corresponds to the shaft 49 shown in applicationSerial No. 589,918 and to the shaft 253 shown in application Serial No.629,749. Fixed on the end of shaft 77 in front of the cover plate 7 is acam 79 having a cam edge 81 and a cam slot 83 (see FIG. 1). Cam edge 81is engageable by the roller 65 on lever 57. It will be understood thatcam 79 is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 away from the retractedposition in which it is shown in FIG. 1, then returned to its retractedposition when a purchaser pulls out a knob of the vending machine andthen returns the knob in the same manner as described for the crank arm515 shown in application Serial No. 589,918. Cam edge 81 is so formedthat when cam 79 swings clockwise away from its retracted FIG. 1position, lever 57 is swung clockwise from its retracted FIG. 3 positionduring the initial part of the clockwise movement of the cam. As the camcontinues its clockwise movement, its tail end moves out from underroller 65, and then spring 61 returns lever 57 counterclockwise.

The coin chute assembly 23 extends down from the top of the main plate 1adjacent the right side flange 5 of plate 1, leaving space between theleft side of the coin chute assembly 23 and the left side flange 3 ofplate 1 for the unit 15. The dime chute DC of assembly 23 is locatedbetween the nickel chute NC and the quarter chute QC, the quarter chutebeing on the inside of the dime chute toward plate 1, the nickel chutebeing on the outside of the dime chute away from plate 1 (see FIG. 5).The coin chute assembly 23 comprises a casting 85 formed with a grooveon one side thereof forming the quarter chute QC and a casting 87 formedwith grooves on opposite sides thereof forming the dime and nickelchutes. A plate 89 is provided between castings 85 and 87 serving as apartition between the quarter and dime chutes, and a cover plate 91 isprovided overlying the outside of casting 87 serving as the outside wallof the nickel chute. Each of the castings 85 and 87 and the plates 89and 91 is made with an arcuate slot so as to provide an arcuate slot 93through the entire assembly 23. This slot registers with the nickelchute NC from the upper end of the slot through a portion 93N of theslot having a length approximately one-fifth the entire length of theslot (see FIG. 7). It registers with the dime chute DC from its upperend through a portion 93D of its length, 93D being approximately twiceas long as 93N (see FIG. 8). It registers with the quarter chute QCthroughout its entire length 93Q (FIG. 9). The coin chute assembly 23 isheld together and secured to plate 1 by means of bolts such as indicatedat 95, with a space between plate 1 and assembly 23 to accommodate thetrip wire 17 and levers Rl-R3. The upper end of the assembly 23 ispositioned in a gap 99 in a top flange 101 on plate 1, and the upperends of the coin chutes are open.

It will be understood that the vending machine has a slot for nickels,dimes and quarters. Coins deposited in this slot enter a coin selectorand slug rejector device (not shown) located above the coin chuteassembly 23 to deliver nickels to the nickel chute NC, dimes to the dimechute DC and quarters to the quarter chute QC. The coin selector andslug rejector device also acts to reject coins of improper denominations(pennies) and spurious coins. Coin selector and slug rejector devicessuitable for the purpose are well known: see, for example, U.S. Patent2,292,628.

Totalizer unit 15 comprises a rear or base plate 103, an intermediateplate and a front cover plate 107. The base plate 103 is a die casting,formed with four forwardly extending tubular spacer posts 109. Theintermediate plate 105 is a sheet metal plate having holes 113registering with the tubular posts 109. The front cover plate 107 is adie casting, formed with four rearwardly extending spacer posts 115 theends of which engage plate 105, the plates 103, 105 and 107 being heldin assembly by screws 117 (see FIG. 15) received in the posts. The baseplate 103 is formed with a rearwardly extending circular cup portion119. This fits in an opening 120 in plate 1. Interiorly of the base ofthis cup portion is a recess 121. Fitted in this recess is a bearing 123(which may be made of nylon, for example). This bearing is held in therecess by a flat retainer ring 125 riveted to base plate 103 asindicated at 126. The totalizer shaft 19 has one end received in bearing123. Shaft 19 extends outward from base plate 103, having its other endreceived in a hole 127 in a cap 129 (which may be made of plastic suchas nylon). The front cover plate 107 has an opening 131 receiving thecap, the latter having bayonet lugs 133 engaging the inside face ofplate 107 to hold it in assembly therewith and allowing for its removalby turning to align the lugs 133 with notches 135 in plate 107. Thecover plate 7 has an opening 137 accommodating the cap. A retainingplate 139 is secured to the outside of the cap 129 and has a notch 141for receiving a locking member 143 for holding the cap against turning.

A pawl carrier constituted by a disk 145 having a hub 147 is rotatablymounted on the totalizer shaft 19 adjacent bearing 123. Trip wire 17 hasone end fixed to the disk 145 as by solder such as indicated at 149.Wire 17 extends radially from the disk 145 in the space between theplate 1 and the coin chute assembly 23 to the slot 93, where it has thefinger 21 at its free end extending forward through the slot 93 acrossall three chutes NC, DC, QC. A clock spring 151 has one end fixed to thehub 147 of the disk and its other end fixed to a post 153 mounted inbase plate 103 for biasing the hub 147, disk 145 and the wire 17 torotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3, l0 and 11 to a raisedretracted position determined by engagement of the wire with a post 155which extends from the base plate 103. Post 153 may be turned foradjustment of the spring bias on the disk 145.

Spring 151 is located on the side of the disk 145 toward the bearing123. Pivoted at 157 on the other side of the disk 145 is a driving pawl159 (see FIGS. 13 and 15). Disk 145 also carries a leaf spring 161biasing the pawl 159 toward engagement with a series of ratchet teeth163 on a ratchet member 165. This ratchet member 165 has an elongate hub167 mounted on the totalizer shaft 19 independently of disk 145. Collars169 are provided on shaft 19 holding the ratchet member 165 againstaxial movement thereon, while leaving it free to rotate relative to theshaft 19. Member 165 is so formed as to have a disk portion 171peripherally formed with holding ratchet teeth 173. Teeth 163 aredriving teeth, being formed on an annular flange 175 of smaller diameterthan disk 171 projecting rearward from disk 171. Ratchet member 165 isbiased to rotate clockwise as viewed in FIG. by a clock spring 177having one end secured to the hub 167 of the ratchet member and itsother end engaging a pin 179 onthe intermediate plate 105. Spring 177 islighter and weaker than spring 151 (see FIG. 4). The elongate hub 167 ofratchet member 165 extends outward beyond plate 105 through a hole .181in the latter. Plate 105' has an arcuate slot 183 (see FIGqlO) partiallysurrounding hole 181 and leading into a relatively enlarged opening 185in plate 105. Ratchet disk 171 has a control finger 187 extendingforward through opening 185 on the radius of the arcuate slot 183parallel to the shaft 19.

Pivoted at 189 on the totalizer base plate 103 is a holding pawl 191engageable with the holding teeth 173 on the ratchet member 165. Theholding pawl 191 is biased toward engagement with the holding teeth 173by a spring 193. The reset lever 25 is pivoted at 195 on the base plate103. Reset lever 25 is biased by a spring 197 to swing clockwise on itspivot 195 to a retracted position determined by its engagement with astop 199 on the base plate -103. It has a downwardly extending tail 201engageable with the driving pawl 159 and a pin 203 engageable with theholding pawl 191 when it swings away from its FIG. 11 retracted positionfor releasing these pawls from the respective ratchet teeth. When thepawls 159 and v191 are released, clock spring 177 is adapted to rotatethe ratchet member 165 clockwise to a zero position determined byengagement 6 of finger 187 with a shoulder 205 defined by opening 185 inthe intermediate plate 105.

The holding pawl 191 and reset lever 25 are located between theintermediate plate and the base plate 103. Lockout lever 27 is pivotedat 207 on the plate 105 (see FIGS. 10 and 15). This lockout lever 27 isbiased to'swing counterclockwise by a spring 209. Reset lever 25 carriesa pin 211 which extends through opening 185 in plate 105 and which isadapted to engage an arm 212 on the lockout lever 27 when the resetlever 25 is swung counterclockwise for swinging the lockout lever 27clockwise a small amount from its FIG. 10 position against the bias ofspring 209. A latch 213 for the lookout lever is pivoted at 215 on theplate 105. This latch 213 carries a weight 217 biasing it to swingclockwise. It has a tail 219 which projects into opening 185 and intothe path of finger 187 on ratchet member 165, being engageable' by thefinger 187 when the ratchet member 165 rotates to its zero positionthereby to hold the latch 213 in the latching position in which it isshown in FIG. 10 against the bias of weight 217. The latch 213 carries apin 221. When the latch 213 is in its latchnig position, this pin islocated above and is engageable by an upper arm 223 on the lockout lever27 to hold the latter against swinging counterclockwise under the biasof spring 209. However, when the latch 213 swings clockwise from itslatching position, pin 221 moves to the right clear of arm 223 to allowthe lockout lever 27 to swing counterclockwise under the bias of spring209. The arm 223 has a notch 224 for receiving the pin 221.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 15 and 16, there is shown a bushing 225 whichfits on hub 167 of ratchet member 165. This bushing has a flange 227 atits rearward end.

The flange 227 has a notch 229 receiving the finger 187 for keying thebushing 225 to the ratchet member 165 so that the bushing rotates withthe ratchet member. The front face of flange 227 has markings spaced atintervals corresponding to the spacing of the ratchet teeth andrepresenting prices from five cents to sixty cents in five centincrements (see FIG. 16). On the forward face of the flange surroundingthe bushing are crown coupling teeth 231. The stops S1, S2 and S3 fit rotatably on the bushing. The stops are identical, each comprising a diskhaving crown coupling teeth 233 on both faces thereof, and having a lobe235 extending for about of are around the periphery of the disk. Thetrailing ends of the lobes 235 of stops S1, S2 and S3 are respectivelydesignated 81A, 82A and 83A. Stop S1 is the rear stop of the three, stopS2 is the middle stop, and stop S3 is the front stop. The stops arebiased axially rearward on the bushing 225 by a spring 237. With thecrown coupling teeth of stop S2 in mesh with the teeth on stops S1 andS3 and with the teeth on stop S1 in mesh with the crown coupling teeth231 on the flange 227, and with finger 187 of ratchet member in thenotch 229 of flange 227, all three stops are locked to the ratchetmember 165 for rotation therewith. The stops are independently rotatablyadjustable on the bushing 225 by moving them outwardly on the bushingagainst the bias of the spring 237 to disengage the teeth, and thenrotating them to a desired angular position. The stops S1, S2 and S3have projections such as indicated at 239 which serve as pointers inconjunction with the markings on flange 227 for facilitating theadjustment of the stops.

Coins drop out of the chutes NC, DC and QC into a hopper indicated at241 in the lower part of the apparatus (see FIG. 3). This hopper isdefined by plates 1 and 7 and left and right lower pivoted gates 243 and245. The gates have a common pivot at 247. A spring-biased bar 249 (seeFIG. 1) vertically slidable on the outside of the front cover plate 7has a stud 251 reaching through a slot 253 in the plate'7 under theright-hand gate 245 for holding this gate in an upper closed position.The spring for biasing the bar 249 upward is designated 255,

A spring-biased bar 257 (see FIG. 2) vertically slidable on the outsideof the plate 1 has a finger 259 reaching through a slot 261 in the plate1 under the left-hand gate 243 for holding this gate in an upper closedposition. Springs for biasing the bar 257 upward are designated 263. Thearrangement is such that upon downward movement of the bar 249 againstthe bias of the spring 255, the stud 251 is lowered from under theright-hand gate 245, and this gate swings down under its own weight tospill out any coins in the hopper into a chute 265 which leads to amoney box. Upon downward movement of the bar 257 against the bias of thesprings 263, the finger 259 is lowered from under the left-hand gate243, and this gate swings open to spill any coins in the hopper into achute 267 for return to a customer.

Pivoted at 269 on the outside of the plate 7 is a lever 271 (see FIG.1). This lever is biased upward to the raised retracted positionillustrated in FIG. 1 by a spring 273. It carries a cam follower roller275 engageable by a cam edge 277 on the cam 79 for swinging it downwardagainst the bias of the spring 273 upon clockwise rotation of the cam 79from its retracted position. Upon such swinging down of the lever 271,its lower edge engages a roller 279 on the bar 249 and moves this bardownward to release the right-hand gate.

A lockout lever 281 for the left-hand gate 243 is pivoted at 283 on theoutside of the plate 7. A pin 285 extends from this lever 281 through aslot 287 in the plate 7. The lever 281 has a heavy stud 289 engageableby the lever 271 for holding lever 281 in the retracted position shownin FIG. 1. In the stated retracted position of the lockout lever 281,the pin 285 registers with a notch 291 in the left-hand gate. When thelever 271 swings down away from the stud 289, the lockout lever 281moves under the bias of the weight of the stud 289 to a position inwhich the pin 285 blocks the left-hand gate 243 from moving downwardeven though the bar 257 is moved downward.

Means is provided for damping or braking the trip wire 17 on its upward(return) swing to slow down its movement and the movement of thepawl-carrying disk 145 to preclude overrunning or overriding of theratchet member 165, bushing 225 and stops S1S3 which are keyed to theratchet member. As shown in FIG. 3, this damping means comprises adamping wire 293 pivoted as indicated at 295 on plate 1 hanging downfrom the pivot in position for brushing against the trip wire 17 andhaving a weight 297 at its lower end. The arrangement is such that asthe trip wire 17 swings upward, it brushes against the wire 293, therebyretarding its movement to prevent override of the ratchet member 165,bushing 225 and stops S1S3.

Mechanism for actuating the reset lever 25 is shown to comprise a lever299 (see FIG. 3) pivoted at 301 on the inside of plate 1 having a nose303 at its lower end engageable with the upper end of the reset lever25. Lever 299 carries a follower roller 305 engageable by a cam edge 307on a slide 309 upon upward movement of the latter from the loweredretracted position in which it is shown in FIG. 3. The slide 309 haselongate slots 311 receiving upper and lower studs 313 and 315 onplate 1. The slide has a pin 317 at its lower end received in a notch319 in a lever 321 pivoted at 323 on the plate 1. Lever 321 carries afollower roller 325 which extends through a slot 327 in cover plate 7and which is received in cam slot 83 in cam 79 (see FIG. 1). Slot 83 hasa cam edge portion 329 engageable with the roller 325 to swing the lever321 upward and drive the slide 309 upward upon clockwise rotation of cam79 from its FIG. 1 retracted position. Slide 309 and lever 321 arebiased downward by a spring 331 connected to the slide. A bell cranklever 333 is pivoted on the lower stud 315 underneath the slide 309. Thebell crank lever 333 has an upwardly extending arm 335 carrying a pin337 at its upper end engageable by a finger 339 extending from the lowerend of lever 299 over the pin 337. The bell crank lever 333 has agenerally horizontally extending arm 341 carrying a pin 343 at its freeend downwardly engageable with extensions 345 of feelers F1F3.

Operation is as follows:

As herein illustrated, and by way of example, the apparatus may be setup for vending twenty-five cent, thirty cent and thirty-five cent items.This is accomplished by setting the stops S1S3 in such angular positionsrelative to one another and to the bushing 225 that, with the ratchetmember 165 in its zero position, it takes five steps of the ratchetmember to rotate the assembly of stops to a position where the trailingend 81A of stop S1 clears the upper end of the finger 51 of feeler F1,six steps of the ratchet member to rotate the assembly to a positionwhere the trailing end 82A of stop S2 clears the upper end of the finger53 of feeler F2, and seven steps of the ratchet member to rotate theassembly to a position where the trailing end S3A of stop S3 clears theupper end of finger 55 of feeler F3.

A nickel N deposited in the coin slot of the vending machine passesthrough the coin selector (not shown) which delivers it into the upperend of the nickel chute NC. The nickel, falling in the nickel chute,engages the finger 21 at the free end of the trip wire 17, and drivesthe wire 17 downward against the bias of the spring 151 of the totalizer15 through the arc 93N. Upon the downward swing of the wire, the diskrotates in clockwise direction as viewed from the front of the apparatusand the driving pawl 159 clicks over one ratchet tooth 163 withoutrotating the ratchet member 165 and the stops S1-S3 coupled to theratchet member. The ratchet member 165 is held against rotating inreverse direction (which is clockwise as viewed in FIG. 10) byengagement of finger 187 with shoulder 205 of intermediate plate 105.When the wire has swung down through the arc 93N, the nickel n'des ofl?the finger 21 and exits from the nickel chute, falling into the hopper241. The wire 17 swings back upward under the bias of the spring 151.Upon the upward or return swing of the wire through the arc 93N, theratchet member 165 and the assembly of stops S1S3 are indexed forward(rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3) through a one-toothinterval, and held in the advanced position against the bias of theratchet return spring 177 by the pawls 159 and 191. The ratchet member165 and stops S1-S3 are prevented from overriding (i.e., prevented fromrotating more than a one-tooth interval) by the damping wire 293. Thedeposit of additional nickels results in rotating the ratchet member 165and stops S1-S3 one more step for each nickel. For example, if sevennickels are inserted in succession, the ratchet member and stops will berotated seven steps.

A dime D deposited in the coin slot of the vending machine passesthrough the coin selector which delivers it into the upper end of thedime chute DC. The passage of the dime through the dime chute etfectsadvance of the ratchet member 165 and the stops S1S3 in substantiallythe same manner as a nickel, except that they are indexed forward twosteps instead of one, as in the case of a nickel. This is because thedime drives the trip wire 17 downward through the arc 93D which isapproximately twice the are through which the wire is driven downward bya nickel.

A quarter Q deposited in the coin slot of the vending machine passesthrough the coin selector which delivers it into the upper end of thecoin chute QC. The passage of the quarter through the quarter chuteresults in advance of the ratchet member 165 and the stops S1S3 insubstantially the same manner as a nickel or a dime, except that theyare indexed forward five steps instead of one, as in the case of anickel, or two, as in the case of a dime. This is because the quarterdrives the trip wire 17 downward through the arc 93Q which isapproximately five times as long as the arc 93N.

Assuming that a purchaser has deposited twenty-five cents in coin(either as a quarter, two dimes and a nickel, a dime and three nickelsor five nickels), the ratchet member 165 and the stops S1-S3 will beindexed five steps from the zero position shown in FIG. 3 to atwentyfive cent position and latched in the five-step advanced positionby the pawls. This brings the stops S1-S3 to a position where thetrailing end 81A of the lobe 237 on stop S1 is clear of the upper end ofthe finger 51 of feeler F1. The five-step rotation, however, is notsufficient to bring the trailing ends 82A and S3A of stops S2 and S3 toa position clear of the upper ends of the fingers 53 and 55 of feelersF2 and F3. Now, having deposited twenty-five cents, the purchaser pullsout a twenty-five cent rod of the vending machine in the mannerdescribed in application Serial No. 589,918, resulting in clockwiserotation of the shaft 77 and the cam 79. During the initial portion ofthe clockwise swing of the cam 79, its cam edge 8-1 acts on roller 65 toswing the lever 57 clockwise from its retracted position shown in FIG.3. As the lever 57 swings clockwise it acts through the springs 67, 69and 71 to bias the feeler levers F1, F2, F3 to swing in clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 3. Feeler levers F2 and F3, however, areblocked against swinging more than a small amount by stops S2 and S3since the trailing ends 82A and S3A of the lobes of these two stops arenot clear of feeler fingers 53 and 55, and springs 69 and 71 simplyyield to permit lever 57 to swing through its full stroke. However,feeler F1 can swing freely in clockwise direction since the trailing end81A of the lobe of stop S1 is clear of the upper end of feeler finger51. Accordingly, the feeler lever F1 is swung clockwise through such anangle as to operate the release lever R1. Thereupon, the twenty-fivecent rod of the vending machine may be completely pulled out and thenreturned to its retracted position to dispense a twentyfive cent item.

As the cam 79 continues through its clockwise swing, cam edge 329thereof acts on roller 325 to swing the lever 321 upward and drive theslide 309 upward. As the slide 309 moves upward, cam edge 307 thereonengages the follower roller 305' on lever 299 and swings lever 299clockwise from its retracted FIG. 3 position. In the meantime, bellcrank lever 333 has been rocked clockwise by the action of extension 345of feeler F1 on the pin 343 to the point where pin 337 is adjacentfinger 339 of lever 299. When the lever 2'99 swings clockwise, its nose303 acts on the upper end of the reset lever 25 to swing the reset lever25 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 11. Pin 203 on lever 25 thereuponreleases the holding pawl 191 from the holding teeth 173 and tail 201 oflever 25 releases the driving pawl 159 from the driving teeth 165. Theratchet member 165 and stops S1-S3 are thus released for return to zeroposition under the bias of spring 177, but are temporarily held againstsuch return by engagement of the trailing end 51A of the lobe of stop S1with the finger 51' of feeler F1 (which is raised). Also, as lever 299swings clockwise, finger 339 on lever 299 engages pin 337 and rocks thebell crank lever 333 back counterclockwise, with the result that pin 343drives feeler F1 back counterclockwise to retract finger 51 of feeler F1downward from behind the trailing end SIA of the lobe of stop S1. Thisreleases the stops S1-S3 and ratchet member 165 for return to the Zeroposition. It will be observed that toward the end of the clockwise swingof cam 79, its cam edge 81 rides ofi and away from follower roller 65',thereby releasing lever 57'.

The lockout lever 27 is normally held in its FIG. 10 inactive positionin which its lower end is clear of the feeler fingers 51, 53, 55 by theengagement of the pm 221 on latch 213 over the upper arm 223 of thelockout lever 27. When the reset lever 25 swings counterclockwise on itspivot 195 due to the upward resetting movement of the slide 309, pin 211on the reset lever 25 swings down into engagement with arm2 12'on thelock out lever 27 and swings the lockout lever 27 clockwise to someextent from its inactive position of FIG. 10; As a result, the upper arm223 of the lookout lever swings down away from thepin 221 on latch 213a'nd'the latch is released for swinging clockwise as viewed in FIG. 10on its pivot 215 under the bias of the weight 217 on the latch. Thearrangement is such that this release of the latch occurs just after therelease of the ratchet member and stops S1 S3. Assuming that uponrelease, the ratchet member 165 and stops S1S3 immediately return tozero position under the bias of the sprihg 177, the finger 187 on theratchet member 165 engages the tail 219 of the latch 213 before thelatch has had time to swing clockwise away from its retracted positionof FIG. 10, and the'latch is thereby held in its latching position tomaintain the lockout lever 27 in its inactive position. Then, uponreturn of the cam 79 to its initial position, all parts are restored totheir initial position. If, however, the ratchet member 165 and stopsSL183 should not return or be delayed in returning to zero position, thelatch 213 swings clockwise away from its latching position of FIG. 10 toa position in which pin 221 on the latch is clear of the upper arm 223of the lockout lever 27. Then when the reset lever 25 returns to itsretracted position upon downward movement of slide 309, the lockoutlever 27 swings counterclockwise on its pivot 207 into an active lockoutposition wherein its lower end lies above the upper ends of-feelerfingers '51, 53, 55 to lock the feelers F1, F2, F3 out of operation.This prevents further operation of the machine until the ratchet member165 and stops S1'S3 are returned to the Zero position. Sometimes it ispossible to release the ratchet member 165 for return by actuating theusual coin return bar of the vending machine, which actuates the resetlever 25, and then when the ratchet member 165 returns to zero positionthe latch 213 relatches the lockout lever 27 in its inactive position.Otherwise, it is necessary to service the machine.

Also, upon the above-noted clockwise rotation of the cam 79, the camedge 277 on the cam acts to swing down the lever 271, thereby releasingthe right-hand hopper gate 245. Any coin or coins in the hopper arethereby spilled out into the chute 265 and passed to the money box. Uponthe downward swing of the lever 271, the lockout lever 281 is releasedfor movement to the position in which the pin 285 blocks the left-handhopper gate to prevent any possibility of return of a coin or coins.When the cam 79 returns counterclockwise to its retracted position shownin FIG. 1, lever 271 is released for return to its retracted positionunder the bias of the spring 273. On return of the lever 271 toretracted position, the lockout lever 281 is returned to retractedposition and the right-hand hopper gate 245 closes.

If less than twenty-five cents in coin should be deposited, the stops81-83 are rotated through less than the five steps necessary to bringthe trailing end 81A of the lobe of stop S1 to a position clear of theupper end of the finger 51 of feeler F1. Accordingly, feeler F1 islocked against sufficient movement to operate release lever R1.

Assuming that a purchaser has deposited thirty cents in coin (either asa quarter and a nickel, three dimes, two dimes and two nickels, one dimeand four nickels, or six nickels), the stops S1--S3 will be rotated sixsteps from the zero position to a position wherein the trailing ends 81Aand 82A of the lobes of stops S1 and S2 are clear of the upper ends ofthe fingers 51 and 53 of feelers F1 and F2. This six-step rotation,however, is not sufficient to bring trailing end S3A of the lobe of stopS3 clear of the upper end of the finger 55 of feeler F3. It is necessaryto operate release levers R1 and R2 to obtain a thirty cent item. Whenthe purchaser, having deposited thirty cents, pulls out a thirty centrod of the vending machine, the action is similar to that abovedescribed except that now feelers F1 and F2 are free to swing incounterclockwise direction for operating release levers R1 and R2.However, feeler F3 is blocked against swinging more than a small amountby the stop S3, and spring 71 simply yields to permit lever 57 to travelthrough its full stroke.

Assuming that a purchaser has deposited thirty-five cents in coin(either as a quarter and a dime, a quarter and two nickels, three dimesand a nickel, two dimes and three nickels, one dime and five nickels, orseven nickels) the stops S1S3 will be rotated seven steps from the zeroposition to a position wherein the trailing ends 81A, 52A and 82A of allthree stops are clear of the upper ends of the fingers 51, 53, 55 offeelers F1, F2, F3. When the purchaser, having deposited thirty-fivecents, pulls out a thirty-five cent rod of the vending machine, theaction is similar to that above described except that now all threefeelers are free to swing in counterclockwise direction for operatingall three release levers R1, R2, R3.

Conversion of the appartus to different three-price setups is readilyaccomplished by changing the position of the stops S1S3 relative to thebushing 225 and/or relative to one another.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

1. In a coin apparatus comprising an indexing member movable away from aretracted position and biased to return to retracted position,coin-actuated means for advancing said indexing member in amountsproportional to coin values, means for holding the indexing member inadvanced position against the return bias, and means for releasing theindexing member for return under the bias to its retracted position;means for locking said apparatus out of operation if said indexingmember should fail to return to retracted position upon operation ofsaid release means comprising a lockout member normally occupying aninactive position and movable therefrom to an active lockout position,and means for effecting movement of said lockout member to its activelockout position in response to operation of said release means withoutreturn of said indexing member to its retracted position whilemaintaining said lockout member in its inactive position in response tooperation of said release means and return of said indexing member toretracted position.

2. In a coin apparatus comprising an indexing member movable away from aretracted position and biased to return to retracted position,coin-actuated means for advancing said indexing member in amountsproportional to coin values, means for holding the indexing member inadvanced position against the return bias, and means for releasing theindexing member for return under the bias to its retracted position;means for locking said apparatus out of operation if said indexingmember should fail to return to retracted position upon operation ofsaid release means comprising a lockout member normally occupying aninactive position and movable therefrom to an active lockout position,and means controlled by said release means and by said indexing memberfor efiecting movement of said lockout member to its active lockoutposition in response to operation of said release means without returnof said indexing member to its retracted position while maintaining saidlockout member in its inactive position in response to operation of saidrelease means and return of said indexing member to retracted position.

3. In a coin apparatus comprising an indexing member movable away from aretracted position and biased to return to retracted position,coin-actuated means for advancing said indexing member in amountsproportional to coin values, means for holding the indexing member inadvanced position against the return bias, and means for releasing theindexing member for return under the bias to its retracted position;means for locking said apparatus out of operation if said indexingmember should fail to return to retracted position upon operation ofsaid release means comprising a lockout member normally occupying aninactive position and movable therefrom to an active lockout position, alatch for latching said lockout member in its inactive position, acontrol for the latch movable with said indexing member adapted whensaid indexing member is in its retracted position to hold the latch inlatching position, said release means including means for effectingrelease of said latch to release said lockout member for movement to itsactive lockout position if said indexing member fails to return to itsretracted position, said latch control being adapted to maintain thelatch in latching position by the return of the indexing member to itsretracted position.

4. In a coin apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said latch being biasedto move out of its latching position, and the return bias on saidindexing member being such as to return the indexing member to itsretracted position before the latch has had time to move out of itslatching position upon actuation of said release means.

5. In a coin apparatus comprising an indexing member movable away from aretracted position and biased to return to retracted position,coin-actuated means for advancing said indexing member in amountsproportional to coin values, means for holding the indexing member inadvanced position against the return bias, and means for releasing theindexing member for return under the bias to its retracted position; alockout member normally occupying an inactive position and movabletherefrom to an active position, a latch for latching said lockoutmember in its inactive position, a control for the latch movable withsaid indexing member adapted when said indexing member is in itsretracted position to hold the latch in latching position, said releasemeans including means for etfecting release of said latch to releasesaid lockout member for movement to its active position if said indexingmember fails to return to its retracted position, said latch controlbeing adapted to maintain the latch in latching position by the returnof the indexing member to its retracted position, said latch beingbiased to move out of its latching position, and the return bias on saidindexing member being such as to return the indexing member to itsretracted position before the latch has had time to move out of itslatching position upon actuation of said release means, said latch beinga pivoted latch gravity-biased to swing out of its latching positionslowly in relation to the re turn movement of the indexing member.

6. In a coin apparatus comprising a feeler normally occupying aretracted position and movable away from retracted position, an indexingstop movable away from a retracted position in which it is engageable bythe feeler to limit movement of the feeler to a position in which itallows a full stroke of the feeler, said stop being biased to return toretracted position, coin-actuated means for advancing said stop inamounts proportional to coin values, means for holding the stop inadvanced position against the return bias, and means for releasing thestop for return under the bias to its retracted position; a feelerlockout normally occupying an inactive position and movable therefrom toan active position for limiting the movement of the feeler, and meansfor effecting 13 I movement of said feeler lockout to its activeposition in response to operation of said releasemeanswithout return ofsaid stop to its retractedpositionwhilemain taining said feeler lockoutin its inactive position in response to operation of said release meansand return of said stop to retracted position.

7. In a coin apparatus comprising a feeler normally occupying aretracted position and movable away from retracted position, an indexingstop movable away from a retracted position in which it is engageable bythe feeler to limit movement of the feeler to a position in which itallows a full stroke of the feeler, s'aid stop being biased to return toretracted position, coin-actuated means for advancing said stop inamounts proportional to 'coin values, means for holding the stop inadvanced position against the return bias, and means for releasing thestop for return under said bias to its retracted position; a feelerlockout normally occupying an inactive'posit-ion and movable therefromto an active position for limiting the movement of the feeler, and meanscontrolled by said release means and by said stop for effecting movementof said feeler lockout to its active position in response to operationof said release means without return of said stop to its retractedposition while maintaining said feeler lockout in its inactive positionin response to operation of said release means and return of said stopto retracted position.

8. In a coin apparatus comprising a feeler normally occupying aretracted position and movable away from retracted position, an indexingstop movable away from a retracted position in which it is engageable bythe feeler to limit movement of the feeler to a position in which itallows a full stroke of the feeler, said stop being biased to return toretracted position, coin-actuated means for advancing said stop inamounts proportionalto coin values, means for holding the stop inadvanced position against the return bias, and means for releasing thestop for return under the bias to its retracted position; a feel erlockout normally occupying an inactive position and movable therefrom toan active position, a latch for latching said feeler lockout in itsinactive position, a control for the latch movable with said stopadapted when said stop is in its retracted position to hold the latch inlatching position, said release means including means for effectingrelease of said latchto release said feeler lookout for movement to itsactive position if said stop fails to return to its retracted position,said latch control being adapted to maintain the latch in latchingposition by the return of the stop to its retracted position.

9. In a coin apparatus as set forth in claim 8, said latch being biasedto move out of its latching position and the return bias on said stopbeing such as to return the stop to its retracted position before thelatch has had time to move out of its latching position upon actuationof said release means.

10. In a coin apparatus as set forth in claim 9, said latch being apivoted latch gravity-biased to swing out of its latching positionslowly in relation to the return movement of the stop.

11. In a coin apparatus comprising a rotatable indexing member rotatablein a forward direction away from a zero position and biased to rotate inreturn direction back to zero position, coin-actuated means including adriving pawl and ratchet for rotating said indexing member in forwarddirection in amounts proportional to coin value, a holding pawl for saidratchet, and means for releasing the pawls for return rotation of theindexing member under the bias from an advanced position back to zeroposition; means for locking said apparatus out of operation if saidindexing member should fail to return to retracted position uponoperation of said release means comprising a lockout member normallyoccupying an inactive position and movable therefrom to an activelockout position, and means for effecting movement of said lockoutmember to its active lockout position in're'sponse to operation of saidrelease means without'return r ota tion of said indexing member back tozero position while maintaining said lockout member in its inactiveposition in response to operation of said release means and returnrotation of said indexing member back to zero position.

12. In a coin apparatus comprising a rotatable indexing member rotatablein a forward direction away from a zero position and biased to rotate inreturn direction back to Zero position, coin-actuated means including adriving pawl and ratchet for rotating said indexing member in forwarddirection in amounts proportional to coin value, a holding pawl for saidratchet, and means for releasing the pawls for return rotation of theindexing member under the bias from an advanced position back to Zeroposition; means for locking said apparatus out of operation if saidindexing member should fail to return to retracted position uponoperation of said release means comprising a lockout member normallyoccupying an inactive position and movable therefrom to an activelockout position, and means controlled by said release means and by saidindexing member for effecting movement of said lockout member to itsactive lockout position in response to operation of said release meanswithout return rotation of said indexing member back to zero positionwhile maintaining said lockout member in its inactive position inresponse to operation of said release means and return rotation of saidindexing member back to zero position.

13. In a coin apparatus comprising a rotatable indexing member rotatablein a forward direction away from a Zero position and biased to return toZero position, coinactuated means including a driving pawl and ratchetfor rotating said indexing member forward in amounts proportional tocoin values, a holding pawl for the ratchet, and means for releasing thepawls for return of the indexing member under the bias from an advancedposition to zero position; means for locking said apparatus out ofoperation if said indexing member should fail to return to retractedposition upon operation of said release means comprising a lookoutmember normally occupying an inactive position and movable therefrom to,an active lockout position, a latch fof latching said lockout membet inits inactive position, a control for the latch rotatable with saidindexing member adapted when said indexing member is in its zeroposition to hold the latch in latching position, said release meansincluding means for effecting release of said latch torelea'se saidlockout member for movement to its active lockout position if saidindexing member fails to rotate back to its zero position, said latchcontrol being adapted to maintain the latch in latching position by thereturn of the indexing member to its zero position.

14. In a coin apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said latch beingbiased to move out of its latching position and the return bias on saidindexing member being such as to rotate the indexing member back to itszero position before the latch has had time to move out of its latchingposition upon actuation of said release means.

15. In a coin apparatus comprising a rotatable indexing member rotatablein a forward direction away from a zero position and biased to return tozero position, coin-actuated means including a driving pawl and ratchetfor ro tating said indexing member forward in amounts proportional tocoin values, a holding pawl for the ratchet, and means for releasing thepawls for return of the indexing member under the bias from an advancedposition to zero position; a lockout member normally occupying aninactive position and movable therefrom to an active position, a latchfor latching said lockout member in its inactive position, a control forthe latch rotatable with said indexing member adapted when said indexingmember is in its zero position to hold the latch in latching position,said release means including means for effecting release of said latchto release said lockout member for movement to its active position ifsaid indexing member fails to rotate back to its zero position, saidlatch control being adapted to maintain the latch in latching positionby the return of the indexing member to its zero position, said latchbeing biased to move out of its latching position and the return bias onsaid indexing member being such as to rotate the indexing member back toits zero position before the latch has had time to move out of itslatching position upon actuation of said release means, said latch beinga pivoted latch gravity-biased to swing out of its latching positionslowly in relation to the return rotation of the indexing member.

16. In a coin apparatus comprising a feeler normally occupying aretracted position and movable away from retracted position, a rotatableindexing stop rotatable in a forward direction away from a zero positionin which it is engageable by the feeler to limit movement of the feelerto a position in which it allows a full stroke of the feeler, said stopbeing biased to rotate in return direction back to zero position,coin-actuated means including a driving pawl and ratchet for rotatingsaid stop in forward direction in amounts proportional to coin values, ahold ing pawl for said ratchet, and means for releasing the pawls forreturn rotation of said stop under the bias from an advanced positionback to zero position; a feeler lockout normally occupying an inactiveposition and movable therefrom to an active position for limiting themovement of the feeler, and means for effecting movement of said feelerlockout to its active position in response to operation of said releasemeans without return rotation of said stop back to zero position whilemaintaining said feeler lockout in its inactive position in response tooperation of said release means and return rotation of said stop back tozero position.

17. In a coin apparatus comprising a feeler normally occupying aretracted position and movable away from retracted position, a rotatableindexing stop rotatable in a forward direction away from a zero positionin which it is engageable by the feeler to limit movement of the feelerto a position in which it allows a full stroke of the feeler, said stopbeing biased to rotate in return direction back to zero position,coin-actuated means including a driving pawl and ratchet for rotatingsaid stop in forward direction in amounts proportional to coin values, aholding pawl for said ratchet, and means for releasing the pawls forreturn rotation of said stop under the bias from an advanced positionback to zero position; a feeler lockout normally occupying an inactiveposition and movable therefrom to an active position for limiting themovement of the feeler, and means controlled by said release means andby said stop for effecting movement of said feeler lockout to its activeposition in response to operation of said release means without returnrotation of said stop back to zero position while maintaining saidfeeler lockout in its inactive position in response to operation of saidrelease means and return rotation of said stop back to zero position.

18. In a coin apparatus comprising a feeler normally occupying aretracted position and movable away from retracted position, a rotatableindexing stop rotatable in a forward direction away from a zero positionin which it is engageable by the feeler to limit movement of the feelerto a position in which it allows a full stroke of the feeler, said stopbeing biased to rotate in return direction back to zero position,coin-actuated means including a driving pawl and ratchet for rotatingsaid stop in forward direction in amounts proportional to coin values, aholding pawl for said ratchet, and means for releasing the pawls forreturn rotation of said stop under the bias from an advanced positionback to zero position; a feeler lockout normally occupying an inactiveposition and movable therefrom to an active position, a latch forlatching said feeler lockout in its inactive position, a control for thelatch rotatable with said stop adapted when said stop is in its zeroposition to hold the latch in latching position, said release meansincluding means for effecting release of said latch to release saidfeeler lockout for movement to its active position if said stop fails torotate back to its zero position, said latch control being adapted tomaintain the latch in latching position by the return of the stop to itszero position.

19. In a coin apparatus as set forth in claim 18, said latch beingbiased to move out of its latching position and the return bias on saidstop being such as to rotate the stop back to its zero position beforethe latch has had time to move out of its latching position uponactuation of said release means.

20. In a coin apparatus as set forth in claim 19, said latch being apivoted latch gravity-biased to swing out of its latching positionslowly in relation to the return rotation of the stop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

